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sexyspace2018-07-03 08:30 pm
zhautasmods) wrote in sexyspace2018-07-03 08:30 pm
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TEST DRIVE MEME #2.5 (OVERFLOW EDITION)
Awakening
The multiverse is sick. It’s dying. And it’s up to you to save it. Or, at least, that’s what the Zenith Corporation had told you when they announced their search for a cure across the multiverse. They hand-picked individuals to be "volunteers" for the next stage of experimentation. Maybe they made it sound dire, maybe you already had your mind set to help, or maybe the specifics of how you could help was vague. Considering the alternative was wasting away on your home planet with no promise of when this cure might actually come to fruition, it ultimately wasn’t much of a choice either way.
Everything comes to life the more awake that you start to feel. "Good morning, volunteer," sounds a synthetic, feminine voice in your ear. That must be one of the fancy features they advertised about the chip that was injected just beneath your skin. A projected HUD above your torso displays and scrolls through several readings about the state of your being. "A scan of your vital signs show that everything is functioning as normal." There’s a small pause. "Wait-" The spike of alarm that should follow that single, distressed-sounding word is accompanied by a light chime. "Emotional responses are still accurate, too. Thank you for your cooperation!" Without any further explanation or allowing for protest, she continues on. "I hope you enjoyed your nap! We’ll be descending to planet #05031941 - common name designated as Zhautas - in approximately three hours. There will be a brief orientation for all volunteers exactly one hour before landing. Due to potential unnatural stress levels upon awakening from stasis, I suggest a relaxing trip to the garden beforehand."
If you have any questions, please don’t hesitate to ask.
My name is R.O.S.I.E. and, on behalf of all of us at the Zenith Corporation, we’re happy to have you aboard.
Code CreditMy name is R.O.S.I.E. and, on behalf of all of us at the Zenith Corporation, we’re happy to have you aboard.
Say Aloe (Prospective Players Only)
Red lights lead the way to the gym, green will be your path to the gardens, ostignuh is- Wait, what do you mean the color ostignuh is burning your eyes? Huh. They must have over-corrected for your species. Oh, well. They’ll fix that for the next trip. For now, don’t worry about it. It probably didn’t lead to anything important anyway!
- The staff is much more attentive this time than they were with the first wave of volunteers. Poor feedback and the threat of losing their jobs if they don't improve their standing will do that! Unfortunately, it isn't just the colors that have been over-corrected. Despite how many times you tell the very helpful staff member that you're fine, they won't leave you alone. Are you sure? They can walk with you if you'd like. They can even hold your hand if you're overwhelmed! If there's anything you need, they're here for you.
Maybe if you find a buddy to walk you to your destination they might divert their attention to a different volunteer. The buddy system is pretty fool-proof, after all. - As you draw closer to the gardens, the lights in the hallway begin to dim. In fact, the only available source of illumination for a small distance is the thin green line across the floor guiding your way. Careful not to trip! There's handy railing to hold onto or maybe you accidentally grab the arm of that (hopefully) cute person nearby. It's kind of hard to tell and green isn't really a flattering color anyway.
Suddenly, you're stepping into a wide open space of twilight. Iridescent flowers dot the landscape for as far as the eye can see. They come in all different shapes, sizes, and glow softly in this simulated night-scape. Trees of shining magenta leaves and blue bark wind up to the stars. Or, at least, the viewing panels that allow the stars to be seen from inside the ship. Not to worry, it's entirely safe and beautiful!
The featured flower of this month is the Nykt Blossom. Be warned, however, that inhaling its pollen causes increased levels of oxytocin. This will cause you to feel compelled to bond socially with others. That is, you might find yourself a lot more friendly than usual! Maybe a little too friendly, even, if you're especially susceptible to its effects. - It's very easy to miss the warning signs in this dark as you step into the section of the garden that houses the more alien plant-life.
They'll fix that for the future, of course, but for now many volunteers are likely finding themselves subject to the same unfortunate circumstances. Coitendrils are in abundance here; they're a pretty touchy feely species.
It's a plant that thrives in warm conditions and grows at an incredibly fast rate to seek out these cozy spots. As it turns out, your body warmth is the highest temperature around and exactly what it's looking for.
Before you know it, long green tendrils are suddenly growing around your arms or legs in speedy spirals. They get everywhere in a matter of mere seconds. Their growth is aggressive, finding ways beneath the fabric of whatever clothes you happen to be wearing and to the skin below. The only way to reverse their growing hold is to cool yourself off and fast. Maybe someone can grab you some ice?
Orientation (Prospective Players Only)
Around an hour before landing, an announcement is made to everyone aboard the ship. It’s time to find your way to the amphitheater for orientation. If anyone gripes, they are reminded that it has mandatory safety information that the Zenith Corporation is legally required to cover. In fact, there's even a quiz at the end to make sure you understand all the technical ins and outs! The Zenith Corporation only has your best interests at heart. They also can’t afford another lawsuit or PR nightmare but who can, really? It’s only a half an hour long and R.O.S.I.E. reassures everyone that it will go by faster than they think.
- Are you way too cool for school? If you try to play hookey, the crew members of the spaceship are already on guard. You're not the first one to try this and they doubt you'll be the last. Try as you might to super sleuth your way around, there’ll be someone at apparently every single turn and twist you try.
It’s also very likely that in scrambling to find a place to hide you’ll run into someone else breaking the rules! Perhaps great minds think alike and you decide to try to defy the system together. Or maybe they’re totally just getting in your way and you decide instead to throw them to the wolves to give yourself a better chance at escaping certain boredom that is an informational seminar. The choice is yours, volunteer! - Whether you come to the orientation willingly or are dragged in by one of the staff, you’ll quickly realize just how bad R.O.S.I.E. lied. A half an hour feels almost like ten hours instead. The last time you checked your watch, it was somehow later than when you check it now. Is time going backward? It sure seems like it the longer you listen to the monotone voice read over colored flavor text clearly meant to engage but missing its mark stupendously. Even the motivation of a quiz at the end that needs to be passed in order to disembark seems to do little to nothing for your dwindling attention span.
Finally, there’s a break in the bureaucratic monotony. The faceless, droning voice introduces one of the staff currently on Zhautas, Jeneviere. He's assistant to the head scientist, Professor Quintalian, and freshly assigned overseer of new volunteers. He also looks like he absolutely doesn't want to be the one doing this seminar.
"Come now, Jenny," says a masculine voice off screen. "You promised."
"I know what I said," he snaps, glaring off camera and not seeming to care much for the fact this is a live feed nor that these new volunteers are expecting something a bit more professional.
"Then what's the problem?" the voice asks again. As it does, a tentacle wiggles into view and gives a reassuring pat on the deerman's shoulder. "I know for a fact that you like being filmed, Jenny, so really this shouldn't be so daunting-"
As he speaks, Jeneviere's cheeks suddenly burn red hot. He stands forcefully out of his chair and uses one of those hoofs to kick harshly at the source of the tentacles. There's a very undignified squawk at the attack before the video feed cuts out and a technical difficulties sign is displayed.
"... Right," the narrator from before says to break the undeniably awkward silence. "Just give us a moment, volunteers, and we'll get a pre-recorded seminar ready for you instead. In the meantime, let's open up communications with the facility and allow you to discuss with those already on the planet about what they've enjoyed most about their time on Zhautas so far?*
- Hopefully, you didn't forget about the quiz! The staff certainly didn't. After the pre-recorded seminar is run, papers are handed out. A quiet shuffle carries through the room as people pass them to and fro down the aisles. It all seems rather arbitrary and tedious but remember! You have to pass in order to disembark.
It isn't too hard. Or maybe it is. Perhaps it's just the pressure that you only have fifteen minutes to complete it. What was the professor's first name again? How many research facilities are there on the planet? Staff are scrutinizing your every move now, it feels like. Do you take the risk and try to whisper for help to the person next to you? Pass notes? Do what you must to succeed! ...Or you can just shamefully take the quiz again and again and again until they're legally obligated to let you off board. - Hopefully, you didn't forget about the quiz! The staff certainly didn't. After the pre-recorded seminar is run, papers are handed out. A quiet shuffle carries through the room as people pass them to and fro down the aisles. It all seems rather arbitrary and tedious but remember! You have to pass in order to disembark.
Welcome to Zhautas! (All Players)
Finally, it's time to disembark at the research facility. This time they have the right coordinates so it's as easy as stepping off the ship and to your new home away from home. Or, at least, it should have been that easy...
There's an awful lot of construction going on around here. Several beings with hard hats, power tools, and ridiculous amounts of glue are rushing about. They're shouting orders and saying "excuse me" where they remember to. Still, it can be hard to get a word in edgewise about the fact that you're new volunteers here to check-in. In addition to the construction, there's also an awful lot of important-seeming people walking throughout the facility as well that staff are far more attentive to than you.
In short, it's borderline chaos as you try to get your bearings.
- "Bad news, new volunteers," says R.O.S.I.E. in the midst of all the commotion. "We have your housing assignments but there have been some... technical difficulties in preparing the new rooms." There's actually been a lot of technical difficulties, period. Maybe you've already noticed with the lights randomly changing color or dimness, the vending machine that launched your drink at you, or R.O.S.I.E. herself glitching out periodically when responding. The problem with the rooms is that the doors won't open. Or they won't stay closed. Or that they open and close constantly and forcefully so it's a safety hazard. As if everything else going on with all the construction isn't.
"We're working on it as fast as we can, but for now, we've set up a temporary sleeping situation until its resolved." Everyone will be directed to one of the larger common rooms in the east wing of the facility while the rest of the volunteers are still awaiting their new housing as promised.
Mattresses are laid out in rows on the floor. There's plenty of blankets, pillows, and even some LED lights strung around the room to provide some nice ambience.
Additionally, there's a screen covering one of the walls for a movie to be projected on before bed. R.O.S.I.E. has chosen a thematically appropriate film that was approved by Professor Quintalian himself. Snacks are provided too! It's an old-fashioned sleepover, volunteers. Make a blanket fort, enjoy what's on for your viewing pleasure, and have - most of all - have fun. - What's a sleepover without scary stories? Flashlights have been provided and it's time to get spooky. Here's your chance to share that real thriller that you know from back home. Maybe another world has a similar tale! Either way, there's nothing like bonding over a little healthy fear. Right?
Or maybe terrifying strangers isn't your idea of a good time and you'd rather make shadow puppets instead. That's also an option! In fact, some people are trying to start a contest out of it to see who can cast the most creative shadows around. - The night staff comes around for one last security sweep. Get some sleep, they say. It's been a long day. Tomorrow might be even longer if they still can't figure out the rooms or where to put all these new volunteers for the time being.
As nice as that sounds, it's a little easier said than done. Whether it's the construction noise, the person next to you snoring, or late night existential thoughts it's difficult for sleep to find you. Maybe talking to someone might help? Or maybe you just need to go to the bathroom. Good luck crossing the swath of bodies, in the case of the latter, and who knows! You might find someone else having as much trouble sleeping as you that you can commiserate with.
Or maybe you're the one snoring. Do you happen to kick in your sleep? How unfortunate for the person assigned to the mat next to you. They might be courteous or they might tell you just how obnoxious it is. Whatever the case might actually be, you're likely in for a long first night here at the research facility.
Network/Bangr (All Players)
During all the goings-on, R.O.S.I.E. will prompt you to set up your presence on the network. Pick a username, a profile picture, and commence to shitposting immediately if you so desire! Additionally, if you want to get a headstart on your contribution to the volunteer program, why not set up your Bangr? R.O.S.I.E. even has an icebreaker question ready for you! They change every month. This month's question is:
(*Despite what you might actually put, know that R.O.S.I.E. is a little glitchy. What you wrote might not actually be what's displayed! I.E., you can totally use this as a misfire type deal in case your character wouldn't answer this question.)
bangr
Professor Quintalian | 35
Wake-up sex is the best, in my opinion. Hormones are more haywire first thing in the morning; it's just scientific sense to get your bang in during wake-up time.
| ✓ | ✕ |
| YES |
NO |
Extra Notes
- The BANGR code only works in comments, there is a separate code for entries!
If you're testing this code before posting it here please do so in a comment to an entry for accuracy! - TDM top levels are allowed for current characters and/or new characters!
However, current characters can ONLY interact with the following prompts:
WELCOME TO ZHAUTAS where new characters are on the planet AND/OR the network options available if they want the thread to be considered game canon. - THIS IS AN OVERFLOW POST FOR NEW TOP LEVELS
feel free to add a link to your previous top level if your threads reach captcha
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[Because they've made their way through the crowds of body for the most part ow, he thinks.]
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[He sighs. It's always easier to frame the important things as a story, he finds- it adds a layer of distance, and he needs that layer of distance from the story that lies at the heart of him.]
Let's start with who I am, shall we? There was a very troublesome god called Loki, who died but couldn't stay dead. He came back, as a new and improved Loki, a better Loki... and then that Loki died too, leaving me as the even newer Loki. And then I came looking for you, for help with something we'd stirred up between us. During and after that, we managed to become... friends, over a year or two.
[He stills, body language shut down, arms folded defensively across his chest- even if it means letting go of Billy's wrist.]
I wouldn't tell you this at all, but I don't intend to hide who I am from anyone else, either, and I'd rather not have you of all people find out I'm here any other way.
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[Okay, maybe not, but still. He kind of wants to know who the guy is who seems to know him and has dragged him off, that's all.
His eyes narrow, listening to the story skeptically. Loki. Really?]
The God of Mischief? [Evil god of mischief, at that. It's a little hard to wrap his head around, honestly, and Billy isn't about to entirely trust Loki either -- if that's who he is, then he for sure likes to trick people too.]
... How do I know you're telling the truth? Is there something you can tell me that there's no way you could know it if we weren't the hand-holding type of friends?
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[Formerly evil, he swears. Not that Billy would probably believe him on that just yet, and he sighs.]
What would you believe? I could tell you you're very grouchy in the mornings, if that would help. That you don't always sleep well?
[He shrugs.]
Or would you prefer the things I could only have learnt from you telling me? Your father used to tell you all the Norse myths, didn't he?
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Those are pretty normal things... [Well, maybe not the sleeping badly part, but-- still. He wasn't sleeping well tonight, so it's probably a safe bet to assume it's not all that unusual.
It's the Norse myths that get him to pause though. He doesn't really-- talk about that. With anyone. He certainly wouldn't tell an enemy or someone he wasn't close to that.]
Fine. I guess I'll believe you know me at least...
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[Rather better than he liked sometimes, but it was a small enough price then. Now... well, he did know it would have to end eventually, but he hadn't quite expected how much he'd miss having company around that he could be himself with.]
...I'd like to be friends again, if you think you can live with that.
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[He doesn't really know this Loki. It's kind ofweird. He might know him in the future... but Billy can't help but feel a little bit suspicious at least.]
We just sort of met, you know.
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[He reaches for Billy's wrist again; it's not the same, but it is comforting, as it always was back then. And it does give him reasonable confirmation Billy is real, as well. He might be over the hallucinations of a particularly guilty conscience, but who knows what all that time in hell might have done?]
Besides, you were friends with the future Kang the Conqueror, weren't you? After that, I shouldn't be that much harder.
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[He gives a wry smile when Loki's hand comes around his wrist again, giving a shake of his head.]
I think we're supposed to be sleeping right now, you know...
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[Or possibly he sleeps worse, but he doesn't need Billy feeling too sorry for him, frankly. It would only sting.]
Perhaps we could go wandering a little, what do you think?
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[They're gross and invasive and just-- ugh.]
Where do you want to go?
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[He might have missed those- and thankfully so, by the sounds of it. They sound... aggressive, albeit potentially interesting.]
I was hoping for somewhere we could see the sky, but I'm not sure we can with security. Perhaps it's worth trying, however?
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[He gives a wry smile though. Getting out into some fresh air does sound nice.]
Yeah, sure. I like that idea.
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[And he thought he wouldn't have to keep an eye on anyone here. But apparently, any Billy can get himself into trouble...]
Well, then. Let's be on our way, master Kaplan.
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[But in retrospect, there really should be...
He nods, moving to follow Loki-- well, wherever it is they're going to sneak out.]
no subject
[If Loki wasn't paranoid before he ended up in something like hell, Tartarus would have done it.
He looks over his shoulder, giving a very crooked smile.]
Try and keep up, then. I won't stop, if you fall behind.
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[He follows Loki, hands sliding down into his jeans pockets as he does.]
Wow. That's not what friends do, I'm pretty sure...
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[Although he'd have expected an effect a little more chemical in nature, rather than physical.]
Mmm... or perhaps I'm just used to you being able to keep up with me.
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[He gives Loki a look, shaking his head at that.]
So-- what kind of adventures do we get up to in the future?
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[He's not sure he should get into what really happened, particularly in Tartarus. That might well be too much information for Billy.
That, and some of it might touch on the personal a little too much...]
I was teaching you new ways to use your magic, you know.
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[That definitely piques his interest after all... even if he has to wonder why his future self is taking lessons from the god of mischief still.]
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[He gives Billy a teasing smile. The way Billy had to repeat his spells had become a little bit of an in-joke, at least to him. Of course, he'd also been teaching Billy in part to apologise for his somewhat... biased lessons when they'd been on the run from Mother.]
A slightly more... structured way, mostly.
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[Don't be rude, Loki... He flashes a smile despite himself though. He's totally not passing up an opportunity, so--]
Does that mean we should continue our lessons though? I mean, if we're going to hang out anyway...
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[He smiles back, crookedly, still finding it easy. Billy might be a little... mercurial, if he's being kind, but Loki is used to that, and smiles used to be somewhat rare. Enough so that he doesn't want to turn this one down, or the opportunity.]
...If that's what you'd like, we can. You were proving to be a reasonable pupil, at least by the end.
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[If he can do it in the future, he can learn to do it here, right?]
I'm a very good student. Mostly. [If it interests him a lot, at least, and magic interests him a lot.]
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